In a new interview, Suicide Squad director David Ayer explained the importance and significance of Jared Leto’s Joker tattoos. What do The Joker’s tattoos actually mean?

When the first few images of Leto’s Joker were released, many fans took to social media to express their distaste for the Clown Prince of Crime’s new tattoos (and that he looks a lot like an 80s pimp). Over the months following, the new “style” has remained a hot debate. Thankfully, David Ayer has provided some clarity about the decision:

“A lot of it has to do with creating a character with some kind of history and footprint in our world. And not have this sacrosanct being outside of our continuum, our reality. If a guy like him really existed today, where would he come from? How would he do business? Who would he know? What would he look like? In my mind, I took a lot of inspiration from drug lords on Instagram. It’s a great way to understand the lifestyle of a villain.”

“The tattoos tell a very specific story,” Ayer continued. “And eventually people will decipher them and understand what’s going on, but obviously they’re contentious, anytime you do something new it’s contentious. There’s very specific stories and easter eggs in those tattoos. And even his teeth, there’s an entire story behind that which is absolutely canon. It’s putting his history on his body. This Joker is a little more working class, who I believe could live in our world.”

“With Jared, it’s tough for him. He constantly has to give birth to himself, he goes away, he comes back, he shoots, he goes away… The Joker is something you have to be, and you can see how exhausting and painful it is for him to be this character. But you can feel it when he comes to work, the crew feels it, everyone feels it. It’s like the birds stop flying. He’s f***ing terrifying.”

Do you think that his answer justifies The Joker’s tattoos? Or would you prefer him without them? Let us know in the comments below.